Method for reducing fluid loss during drilling of a hydrocarbon formation using a water-based drilling fluid composition having a multifunctional mud additive

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide a drilling, drill-in, and completion water-based mud composition containing micro or nanoparticles for use in hydrocarbon drilling. In accordance with at least one embodiment, there is provided a method of drilling a hydrocarbon formation, including contacting the hydrocarbon formation with a water-based drilling mud composition while drilling or completing a well. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the water-based drilling mud composition includes water, the water being present in an amount greater than about 90 wt % of the water-based drilling mud composition to maintain flowability of the water-based drilling mud composition; drilling mud having microparticles, nanoparticles, and combinations thereof; and a multi-functional mud additive in an amount of 0.8 wt % of the water-based drilling mud composition, the multi-functional mud additive comprising psyllium husk powder.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and claims priority to, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/533,536, filed on Sep. 12, 2011, and is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/610,408, filed onSep. 11, 2012, which are all incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a multifunctional mudadditive as part of a water-based drilling fluid. More particularly,embodiments of the invention relate to a multifunctional mud additivethat is capable of producing stable, homogeneous and long lastingwater-based drilling fluids containing particles, includingnanoparticles, microparticles, or a combination thereof, by providingeffective shielding around the particles, especially nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND

Specially-formulated fluids are used during drilling and production ofhydrocarbons to fulfill different functional requirements, conducttrouble-free drilling and production operations, improve drillingefficiency and productivity of wells, and enhance the return oninvestment. Various types of fluids having different chemicalcompositions are used in such hydrocarbon drilling and productionprocesses. For example, drilling and drill-in fluids, which aregenerally composed of a fluid phase, a chemical phase, and a solidphase, are used while drilling for hole cleaning, boreholestabilization, cuttings suspension during non circulation, formationdamage mitigation while drilling the reservoir section, and the like. Asanother example, fracturing and stimulating fluids, which are typicallycomposed of a fluid phase, a chemical phase, and a pseudo solid phase,are generally used to enhance the productivity of a field, especially afield with very low matrix permeability or a field that has incurredextensive formation damage while drilling.

Each of these fluids performs various functions during drilling andproduction applications. For example, during drilling operations,drilling and/or drill-in fluids are circulated through the drill stringto exit through the bit nozzles at high speed to remove the cuttings,clean the bit, transport the cuttings to the surface, prevent fluid lossand particulate invasion to the reservoir, and the like. Similarly,during fracturing or stimulation operations of low permeable formations,a fracturing or stimulation fluid is pumped into the formation toimprove the fluid flow characteristics of the field.

Conventional micro and/or macro particle-based fluids are commonly usedin many drilling fluids because of their low manufacturing cost andavailability in the market at a competitive price. For purposes of thisapplication, “micro” particle-based fluids generally have an averageparticle distribution of greater than about 1 micron. Whereas, the“macro” particle-based fluids generally have an average particledistribution of equal to or greater than about 1 mm.

Although these conventional drilling fluids are effective for manyapplications, they have limited capability and may not be suitable forsome current as well as some future drilling and production operationsdue to the increasingly challenging conditions of such operations. Manyof the conventional micro and/or macro particle-based drilling fluidshave limited functional capabilities due to size effect, have lowarea-to-volume ratios, are difficult to manipulate to preparetailor-made particles with custom-made properties, predominant role ofphysical and gravitational forces in the particle behavior, and have alack of quantum effect due to trivial boundary effects.

Over the years, the operational conditions of drilling and productionhave continued to become increasingly more extreme. For example, changesin the operational depth, nature of subsurface geohazards withincreasing depth, length of horizontal departure to maximize production,complexity of drilling operations, shape of wellbore profiles or numberof laterals from a mother bore to maximize reservoir contact, and thelike, all make drilling and production much more difficult. Moreover,the significant changes in the physical, chemical, and thermalconditions of deeper horizons restrict the use of many conventionaldrilling fluids above a certain operational set point due to the limitedphysical, chemical, thermal, and time dependant stability of manyconventional drilling fluids.

Because of the current limitations that exist using conventionaldrilling fluids, it is often impossible to fulfill certain functionaltasks that are essential in challenging drilling and productionenvironments using conventional macro and micro type fluid additives. Aneed exists for strong, stable, and customizable fluids to use in allareas of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

Nanoparticles are becoming increasingly popular for use in developingviable drilling, drill-in, fracturing, and stimulation fluids,particularly water-based drilling fluids or muds, for example,biologically-stable drilling and completion fluids using silvernano-particles, non-corrosive drilling fluids using nano-zincoxide,thermally-stable fluids using nano-silica, high-thixotropic fluids usingnano-clay. Due to totally unexpected and, in certain cases, highlyenhanced chemical, mechanical, electrical, physical, thermal, andhydrodynamic properties and interaction potential of nanomaterialscompared to their parent materials, nanoparticles are of interest as amaterial of choice for developing viable drilling, drill-in, fracturing,and stimulation fluids for oil and gas field applications. Moreover, dueto the scope of manufacturing of tailor-made nanomaterials withcustom-made functional behavior, ionic nature, physical shape and sizes,charge density/unit volume, nanotechnology is being used in thedevelopment of new drilling, drill-in, fracturing, and stimulationfluids for drilling, production, and stimulation-related applications.

Unfortunately, the formulation of viable drilling, drill-in, fracturing,and stimulation fluids has been difficult using nanoparticles due to theactive role of surface and molecular forces in the nanomaterialbehavior. The solution to this problem in other industries has been touse a chemical dispersing agent, solvents, surfactants, and/or variousother additives to prepare a viable nanofluid with homogeneouscharacteristics and long-term stability. Because the oil and gasindustry uses huge quantity fluids to drill a well, the high cost ofusing expensive additives, such as chemical dispersing agents, in thepreparation of nanofluids is not feasible for oil and gas fieldapplications.

Drilling fluids contribute to some of the biggest drilling andproduction costs associated with hydrocarbon recovery. Minimization ofthe cost factor associated with fluids, especially nano-based fluids, isone of the major considerations in nanofluid formulation andpreparation. Moreover, nanomaterials are also very costly on their own.The addition of another costly chemical as a dispersing agent couldincrease the cost of nano-based drilling fluids far beyond the industryacceptable economic norm. The industry needs a technically reliable andeconomically attractive method for the preparation of a stablenano-based drilling fluid to meet the current as well as futuretechnical needs and challenges of the oil and gas industry.

Besides cost, other factors, such as the environmental impact of suchdrilling fluids, come into play when developing drilling fluids. Due tothe enactment of increasingly strict environmental laws and regulationsand setting of high environmental norms by environmental protectionagencies, and federal, state and local governments, environmentalfactors are another major consideration in oil and gas fieldapplications due to the requirement for huge volumes of nanofluidscompared to other industries. The oil and gas industry needs aneconomically attractive and environmentally friendly fluid additive toprepare water-based nanofluids with a view to maintain the environmentalfriendliness of the fluid. For example, it would be desirable to have animproved process for refining naphtha that resulted in an improvedgasoline blend.

Typical micro and nanoparticle-based mud formulations using aqueous andnon-aqueous fluids require different types of mud additives to fulfillvarious functional tasks while drilling. This is due to the fact thatconventional mud additives that are used in drilling, drill-in andcompletion fluid formulations are single functional. In other words,they are able to perform a single task in the fluid system. The use ofsingle functional additives in the fluid system increases the totalnumber of mud additives and increases the total concentration of theparticles in the fluid systems. This high particle concentration of thefluid system has a detrimental effect on the rate of penetration, due tothe fact that mud performance (i.e., penetration) is inverselyproportional with particle concentration in the drilling mud.Additionally, costs are directly proportional with particleconcentration, contributing to higher costs associated with conventionalmethods and mud additives.

It would be advantageous to have a mud formulation with a reduced amountof additives, and therefore, a lower overall cost. It would also beadvantageous to have a mud formulation having better dispersion of theparticles and increased rates of penetration and overall performance ofthe drilling mud. It would also be advantageous to have a mudformulation that reduces handling, transportation, storage, and mudmanagement costs associated therewith, contributing to additionalreductions in the total drilling cost.

It would be advantageous to have a multifunctional mud additive for aconventional and nano-based fluid formulation that has similar or bettertechnical performance and environmental compliance compared toconventional eco-friendly mud systems.

It would also be advantageous to have a multifunctional mud additivethat provides effective shielding to the nanoparticles or nanoflocs tominimize the effect of molecular, Wan der Waals, and other surfaceforces.

It would be advantageous to have a multi-functional mud additive thatmaintains the short and long term stability of nano-based fluids bysteric stabilization of the nanoparticles to prevent their flocculation,aggregation, bundling and precipitation.

It would be advantageous to have a multifunctional mud additive thatserves as a secondary viscosifer to create a synergistic effect on theviscous properties of the nano-based fluid. It would also beadvantageous to have a multifunctional mud additive that enhances thegelling properties of the nano-based fluid during the period ofnon-circulation. It would be advantageous to have a multifunctional mudadditive that controls American Petroleum Institute fluid (API) lossbelow an API recommended value.

Furthermore, it would be advantageous to have a multifunctional mudadditive that produces a well-dispersed, very thin, low permeablemudcake on a borehole wall. It would also be advantageous to have amultifunctional mud additive that has no detrimental effect to thesurrounding environment, ecosystems, habitats, and the like. It would beadvantageous to have a multifunctional mud additive that has nodetrimental effect on the health and safety of mud technicians, mudengineers, and the rig crews. Furthermore, it would be advantageous tohave a multifunctional mud additive that reduces the total number of mudadditives required for the formulation of macro and nanoparticle basedfluids. It would be advantageous to have a multifunctional mud additivethat provides an economically attractive mud formulation for oil and gasindustry applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Due to extremely high surface areas of nano-based materials compared tomicro-materials, the presence of a tiny concentration of nanomaterials(e.g., nanoparticles) provides superior fluid properties to overcomesubsurface drilling challenges. Nanoparticles play an important role inimproving fluid quality, performance, stability, etc. For example, innano-based drilling mud, nanomaterials accumulate within the mudcake toreduce mudcake permeability and overall fluid loss behaviour of thedrilling mud. Due to their potentially high interacting potential,inhibition capability, ease of infiltration, superior mobility, and highcatalytic action, nano-based fluids show superior performance whiledrilling.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a composition and methodthat satisfies at least one of the needs discussed above. For example,in accordance with one embodiment, the composition is a water-baseddrilling mud composition for reducing fluid loss during drilling. Thewater-based drilling mud composition includes water, drilling mud, andan effective amount of a multifunctional mud additive. In at least oneother embodiment, the water is present in an amount sufficient tomaintain flowability of the water-based drilling mud composition. Inanother embodiment, the drilling mud includes particles, which areselected from the group consisting of microparticles, nanoparticles, andcombinations thereof. The drilling mud includes, for example, XCpolymer, phyllium husk, carbon black, nano-clay, single-walled carbonnanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube, and nano-silver. Water invasionminimization using nano-particles, nano-clays, shale reactionminimization using nano-inhibitors is also provided. In anotherembodiment, the multifunctional mud additive includes psyllium huskpowder, with the water-based drilling mud composition being operable tokeep the particles stabilized and dispersed throughout the water-baseddrilling mud composition in the absence of a surfactant.

In another embodiment, the multifunctional mud additive has an effectivevolume-to-surface area ratio, such that the multifunctional mud additiveis operable to reduce the van der Waals forces between the particlessuch that the particles do not stick together. In one embodiment, thepsyllium husk powder has an average diameter in the range of about 50 to150 microns, most preferably about 100 microns.

In another embodiment, the multifunctional mud additive is operable toincrease the viscosity of the water-based drilling mud composition.

In one embodiment, the multifunctional mud additive is operable toincrease the viscosity of the water-based drilling mud composition by atleast 10 centipoise (cP), when the effective amount of multifunctionalmud additive represents approximately 0.8 weight percent (wt %) of thecomposition. In another embodiment, the water-based drilling mudcomposition has a viscosity that ranges from about 10 cP to about 30 cP.In another embodiment, the multifunctional mud additive is operable toprovide additional gelling capacity for the water-based drilling mudcomposition. In another embodiment, the composition does not include adispersant, polyanionic cellulose, or psyllium seed particles. Inanother embodiment, the composition includes xanthan gum in an amountsufficient to create a synergistic effect to enhance the viscousproperties of the water-based drilling mud composition. In anotherembodiment, the composition includes volcanic ash in an amountsufficient to enhance the rigidity of the mudcake. In accordance withyet another embodiment, the multifunctional mud additive consistsessentially of psyllium husk powder.

In another embodiment, the nanoparticles optionally include any or allof the following: carbon black, single wall nanotubes, multiwallnanotubes, functionalized carbon blacks, functionalized single wallnanotubes, functionalized multiwall nanotubes, and graphene. In oneembodiment, the nanoparticles have an average diameter in the range ofabout 10 to 100 nanometers, most preferably about 50 nanometers. Inanother embodiment, the microparticles optionally include any or all ofthe following: bentonite, volcanic ash, mica, and carbonate chips. Thepresence of these microparticles creates a synergistic effect with thenano-based particles and other mud additives to produce a good qualitymudcake with low poro-perm characteristics. In one embodiment, themicroparticles have an average diameter in the range of about 2 to 100microns, most preferably about 40 microns.

In another embodiment, the water-based drilling mud composition alsoincludes a pH buffer present in an amount sufficient to maintain a pH ofthe water-based drilling mud composition in a predetermined pH range. Inone embodiment, the predetermined pH range is alkaline. In oneembodiment, the pH buffer includes sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, lime, or combinations thereof, as non-limiting examples.

In one embodiment, the water-based drilling mud composition includes 2pounds per barrel (ppb) of 99% pure psyllium husk powder with 2 ppb ofxanthan gum, 3 ppb of 85% pure psyllium husk powder with 3 ppb ofxanthan gum, and 20 ppb of volcanic ash. The water in the water-baseddrilling mud composition is present in an amount greater than about 90wt % of the water-based drilling mud composition, such that thewater-based drilling mud composition is operable to keep the particlesstabilized for at least 48 hours following a hot rolling treatment.

In another embodiment, the water-based drilling mud composition has aplastic viscosity of at least 15 cP, a yield point of at least 45lbs/100 ft², and a 10/10 gel strength of at least 25/30 lbs/100 ft².This water-based drilling mud composition is operable to achieve an APIfluid loss of less than 15 cc and a mudcake thickness of less than 2 mm.In one embodiment, the volcanic ash includes, for example, silica,aluminum oxide, lime, ferric oxide, magnesium oxide, or combinationsthereof.

In another embodiment, the water-based drilling mud composition includes3 ppb of 85% pure psyllium husk powder with 3 ppb of xanthan gum, and apH buffer in an amount sufficient to keep the water-based drilling mudcomposition in an alkaline pH. The water in this water-based drillingmud composition is present in an amount greater than about 90 wt % ofthe water-based drilling mud composition, whereby the nanoparticles ofthe water-based drilling mud composition include COOH functionalizednanoparticles. This water-based drilling mud composition is operable tokeep the particles stabilized and dispersed for at least 48 hoursfollowing a hot rolling treatment. In a further embodiment, thecomposition has a plastic viscosity of less than 20 cP, a yield point ofat least 25 lbs/100 ft², and a 10/10 gel strength of at least 27/33lbs/100 ft², wherein the composition is operable to achieve an API fluidloss of less than 15 cc and a mudcake thickness of less than 2 mm.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method of drilling ahydrocarbon formation and contacting the hydrocarbon formation with anyof the water-based drilling mud compositions described above. In oneembodiment, the step of contacting the hydrocarbon formation with thewater-based drilling mud composition is performed prior to having a lossof circulation of fluids in excess of one barrel per hour. In oneembodiment, the multifunctional mud additive has an effectivevolume-to-surface area ratio, such that the multifunctional mud additiveis operable to reduce the van der Waals forces between the particlessuch that the particles do not stick together. In accordance with yetanother embodiment, the water-based drilling mud composition is operableto provide sufficient lubrication, weighting, and heat dispersion forconventional drilling, drill-in, fracturing, and stimulationapplications.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, there is provided a methodof drilling a hydrocarbon formation, including contacting thehydrocarbon formation with a water-based drilling mud composition whiledrilling or completing a well. In accordance with at least oneembodiment, the water-based drilling mud composition includes water, thewater being present in an amount greater than about 90 wt % of thewater-based drilling mud composition to maintain flowability of thewater-based drilling mud composition; drilling mud, the drilling mudcomprising particles, wherein the particles are selected from the groupconsisting of microparticles, nanoparticles, and combinations thereof;and a multi-functional mud additive in an amount of 0.8 wt % of thewater-based drilling mud composition, the multi-functional mud additivecomprising psyllium husk powder, such that the water-based drilling mudcomposition is operable to keep the particles stabilized and dispersedthroughout the drilling mud composition in the absence of a surfactant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter. Thisinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the described embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art.

The mixing, dispersion, homogenization and stabilization of colloidalparticles ranging from several microns to several nanometers is verydifficult in conventional water-based mud systems without the use of ahighly effective dispersing agent and very powerful mechanicalagitation, while mixing the fluid components. With regards to mechanicalagitation, the use of a hot plate and a conventional magnetic stirrerhave been unable to provide sufficient mixing energy for homogenization.The use of powerful and costly dispersants, for example, a nanospersenecan be used. However, as the formulation cost is prohibitively highusing the nanospersene, it is not an economically viable method ofpreparation. The difficulty in homogenization, along with short and longterm stabilization of water-based systems, increases significantly withdecreasing size of the colloidal particles. Therefore, homogeneous andlong-lasting drilling fluid formulations using nanoparticles have beenextremely difficult to produce prior to the development of the micro-and nano-based drilling mud formulations according to variousembodiments of the invention.

As generally discussed above, conventional micro and/or macroparticle-based fluids have limited functional capabilities due to lowarea-to-volume ratios and are difficult to prepare tailor-made particleswith custom-made behavior. Moreover, because the predominant role ofphysical and gravitational forces affect particle behavior, there is alack of quantum effect due to trivial boundary effects.

Surface forces contribute to the issues associated with thestabilization of the particles. For example, surface forces keep theparticles under the dominion of highly attractive van der Waals andother molecular forces. Therefore, the absence of any highly-effective,chemical dispersing or physical shielding agents can trigger the quickflocculation and aggregation of the nanoparticles, which leads to avariation in consistency and particle segregation. Additionally, if adrilling mud has a short stability time, phase separation occurs fasterand ultimately leads to destabilization of the drilling fluid. This isthe reason why conventional compositions employ the use of costlychemical dispersing additives, for example, in order to provide foreffective dispersion and long term stabilization of nanoparticles inaqueous and non-aqueous systems used by other industries. Dispersantstypically used in water-based drilling fluids or muds are costly and notfeasible for drilling fluid applications due to the excessively highformulation costs.

Due to the relatively large amount of fluid required for drilling,drill-in, and completion operations, the formulation of a nano-basedfluid must consider economic factors along with other technical andenvironmental factors to be acceptable in the oil and gas industry.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a multifunctional mudadditive that produces stable, homogeneous and long lasting water-basedfluids, for example, micro- and nano-based drilling, drill-in andcompletion fluid formulations, such as a water-based drilling mudcomposition, which contains particles, including nanoparticles,microparticles, or a combination thereof, by providing effectiveshielding around the particles, especially nanoparticles. Themultifunctional mud additive has a diameter in the micron range and iseffective in stabilizing and dispersing the nano-sized and othermicro-sized particles in the water-based drilling mud composition. Forexample, the multifunctional mud additive is operable to keepmicroparticles or nanoparticles stabilized and dispersed in thewater-based drilling mud composition without the use of a surfactant ordispersant. The multifunctional mud additive provides a mechanicalsteric hindrance to the naturally-occurring van der Waals forces.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the “multifunctional” nature ofthe additive allows it to perform several functional taskssimultaneously in the fluid system. For example, the multifunctional mudadditive: (1) generates adequate viscous and gel strengthcharacteristics as a secondary viscosifier, (2) reduces the fluid losspotential of drilling fluids by forming a low permeable barrier, (3)keeps cuttings in dynamic suspension to enhance hole cleaning efficiencywhile drilling, (4) maintains static suspension of the cuttings duringthe period of non-circulation, (5) prevents the loss of fluid in dynamicand static conditions, and (6) protects the surrounding environment fromany detrimental effect of the drilling fluids by virtue of itseco-friendly nature.

As generally discussed above, because of the enactment of increasinglystrict environmental laws and regulations, as well as the setting ofhigh environmental norms by environmental protection agencies, andfederal, state and local governments, environmental considerations havebecome increasingly more important in designing drilling fluid for oiland gas field applications. In accordance with at least one embodiment,there is provided a multifunctional mud additive that is anenvironmentally friendly additive that will cause no negative impact tothe surrounding environment, ecosystem, habitats, and localities whenused during drilling operations. The multifunctional mud additive alsohas no detrimental effect on the occupational health and safety ofdrilling personnel. According to various embodiments, there is alsoprovided an economically-attractive and environmentally-friendly methodfor preparing micro and nanoparticle-based aqueous and non-aqueousfluids, including the multifunctional mud additive, for oil and gasfield applications.

The multifunctional mud additive, according to various embodiments, hasa high efficiency for homogenization, stabilization, and dispersement ofthe particles in the water-based drilling mud composition, which playsan important role in the formulation of highly stable micro andnanoparticle-based fluids for oil and gas field applications. Forexample, the multifunctional mud additive uses less than 2% by weight toformulate drilling, drill-in, and completion fluids to perform differentfunctional tasks. The multifunctional mud additive is also useful for awide range of pH values, including, for example, both acidic and basicranges, and also useful in the presence of various salts, including, forexample, monovalent and divalent salts. In accordance with at least oneother embodiment, the multifunctional mud additive is equally applicablefor micro- and nano-based drilling mud compositions using aqueous fluidsas the continuous phase.

In other embodiments, the multifunctional mud additive produces aneffective coating and encapsulation around nanoparticles to preventtheir flocculation, aggregation, or bundling by neutralizing the effectof van der Waals and other molecular forces of attraction acting on thenanoparticles. The multifunctional mud additive also possesses a stericstabilization potential for the nanoparticles to prevent theirflocculation and aggregation during static ageing in water and saltwater-based mud compositions. In certain embodiments, themultifunctional mud additive controls the loss of fluid in water andsalt water-based mud compositions to a value that is lower than anAPI-recommended value for typical water and salt water-based mudcompositions.

The multifunctional mud additive, according to various embodiments,serves as a secondary viscosifier to enhance the viscosity of thewater-based drilling mud composition, while also providing fluid lossproperties to the water-based drilling mud composition. The water-baseddrilling mud composition can be made without the use of polyanioniccellulose, which is typically required for some water-based mudcompositions. Additionally, various embodiments provide fluid losscontrol, enhance cuttings suspension, provide extra gelling capacity,and enhance mud viscosity of the water-based drilling mud composition.Fluid loss additives are used to keep the loss of fluid below 1 barrel(bbl)/hr, whereas a loss circulation additive is only used when the lossof fluid is above 1 bbl/hr.

Some embodiments of the invention further provide a multifunctionalorganic additive to fulfill several functional tasks in conventional andnano-based fluid systems containing fresh or salt water as the fluidphase. In other embodiments, there is provided a multi-functional mudadditive that is dispersible in fresh and salt water systems at roomtemperature. In other embodiments, a multi-functional mud additive isprovided, which has a high volume swelling factor in fresh and saltwaters.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the multifunctional mudadditive consists essentially of psyllium husk powder. Psyllium husk, asopposed to the seed, contains a large quantity of mucilage. Psylliumhusk acts as a gelling agent that has the ability to encirclenanoparticles, thereby minimizing the effect of inter-particleattractive forces. The psyllium husk powder is a great multifunctionalmud additive because it serves, for example, as a secondary viscosifier,a fluid loss additive, a gel strength enhancer, a low-end rheologyimprover, and an environmental impact reducer.

Additionally, psyllium husk is highly hydrophilic, and thereforeexperiences no swelling or gelling in the oil phase or in the presenceof oil. Consequently, psyllium husk is not very effective for oil-basedmuds. Similarly, water-based additives are rarely applicable foroil-based drilling mud. As such, oil-based muds have their own class ofmud additives, such as oil-loving or oil-wetting mud additives.Additionally, the hydrophilic properties of the psyllium husk varydepending on the purity of the product. For example, a product of 99%purity has a swelling potential of more than 50 ml/g, whereas a productof 85% purity has a swelling of about 30 ml/g or more.

Embodiments of the invention further provide a multifunctional mudadditive that includes a flaky outer husk of organic seeds. The flakyouter husk assists in creating a stable and homogeneous mud compositionwithout the use of any costly dispersing additive. In at least oneembodiment, the husks from the organic seeds are produced by plantagoOvata. The flaky organic husk is treated and processed in a fashion tomaximize its steric and viscosifying potential for conventional andnano-based mud compositions containing water or salt water as the fluidphase. In one embodiment, the steps taken to maximize steric andviscosifying potential include sufficiently drying the flaky husk andgrinding the flaky husky to a predefined particle size. The flaky huskyis dried overnight at 105° C. At this temperature, the physically bondedwater can effectively be removed from the surface of the material.Chemically-bonded water typically needs a temperature of about 400° C.in order to be removed effectively. In one embodiment, only thephysically-bonded water is removed in order to achieve improved crushingand grinding without causing any associations of flocs due to plasticeffect. In another embodiment, the flaky husk is ground to a particlesize of, for example, about less than 200 microns.

In accordance with another embodiment, the flaky husk is present in themud additive in an amount of, for example, about 1 to 1.5 wt %. The huskparticles have a purity of, for example, at least 85% by weight, whilein another embodiment, the husk particles have a purity between about85% and about 99% by weight. The mud additive using husk particles witha 99% purity will have a higher swelling value compared to the mudadditive using husk particles with a 85% purity.

In accordance with other embodiments, there is provided an alkalineadditive to prevent biological degradation of the multifunctional mudadditive and to reduce foul odors in the water-based drilling mudcomposition. The alkaline additive is selected from the group consistingof sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lime, or combinations thereof.In accordance with at least one embodiment, 1N sodium hydroxide can beused as the alkaline additive to prevent the biological degradation andfoul odor formation.

In one embodiment, the mud composition includes, for example, about 2.0to 2.5 g of the multifunctional mud additive, about 350 cc of water, forexample, either fresh or salt water, and 1 N of an alkaline additive. Inanother embodiment, 2 cc of 1 N NaOH is used.

EXAMPLES

The examples described below show certain exemplary embodiments of thewater-based drilling mud composition including a multi-functional mudadditive according to various embodiments, as described herein.

Example 1 (Microparticle-Based Drilling Mud)

A water-based drilling mud composition containing microparticles, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention, was prepared bymixing 2 ppb of 99% purity and 3 ppb of 85% purity psyllium husk powder(PHP), 340 ml of water, 20 gm of volcanic ash, for example, with aparticle size range of D10=2.88 micron, D50=13.58 micron and D90=37.35micron, and 2 ppb of XC polymer for 99% purity PHP and 3 ppb of XCpolymer for 85% purity PHP. All the components were mixed to produce thewater-based drilling mud composition according to various embodimentsdiscussed above. The PHP enhanced the stabilization of the micro-sizedparticles by keeping them homogeneous and suspended for a long time, forexample, more than 72 hours, before and after hot rolling at 200° F.(i.e., stabilized and dispersed throughout the water-based drilling mudcomposition in the absence of a surfactant), The PHP also created a goodquality mudcake on API filter paper to control the fluid loss below anAPI-recommended value of 15 cc/30 minutes.

The water-based drilling mud composition was maintained in a specific pHrange, for example, an alkaline pH range, by adding a pH buffer, forexample, sodium hydroxide into the microparticle-based fluid system tominimize a corrosive effect on surface and down hole tools andequipment. According to some embodiments, in the event of foaming duringmixing, a couple of drops of defoamer are added to eliminate the foamingeffect and maintain homogeneous density along the fluid column.

The water-based drilling mud composition produced a plastic viscosity,for example, of at least 15 cP, a yield point, for example, of at least45 lbs/100 ft², a 10/10 gel strength, for example, of at least 25/30lbs/100 ft²/lbs, an API fluid loss, for example, less than 10 cc, and amudcake thickness, for example, less than 2 mm, before and after hotrolling at a temperature range of between 195° F.-200° F.

Example 2 (Nanoparticle-Based Drilling Mud)

A water-based drilling mud composition containing nanoparticles, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention, was prepared bymixing 3 ppb of 85% purity PHP with a COOH functionalizednanoparticle-based drilling mud containing 350 ml water and 3 ppb of XCpolymer. All the components were mixed to produce the water-baseddrilling mud composition according to various embodiments discussedabove. The PHP enhanced the stabilization of the nano-sized particles byshielding the van der Waals and other molecular forces, thus keeping thenanoparticles in a homogeneous and suspended condition for a long time(i.e., stabilized and dispersed throughout the water-based drilling mudcomposition in the absence of a surfactant).

The water-based drilling mud composition was maintained in a specific pHrange, for example, an alkaline pH range, by adding a pH buffer, forexample, sodium hydroxide into the nanoparticle-based mud composition tominimize a corrosive effect on surface and down hole tools andequipment. According to some embodiments, in the event of foaming duringmixing, a couple of drops of defoamer are added to eliminate the foamingeffect and maintain homogeneous density along the fluid column.

The water-based drilling mud composition produced a plastic velocity,for example, of at least 20 cP, a yield point, for example, of at least25 lbs/100 ft², a 10/10 gel strength, for example, of at least 27/33lbs/100 ft²/lbs, an API fluid loss, for example, less than 15 cc, and amudcake thickness, for example, less than 2 mm in a laboratorymeasurement of the fluid properties.

Throughout this application, where patents or publications arereferenced, the disclosures of these references in their entireties areintended to be incorporated by reference into this application, in orderto more fully describe the state of the art to which the inventionpertains, except when these reference contradict the statements madeherein.

The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consistessentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in theabsence of an element not disclosed. For example, it can be recognizedby those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into asingle step. Furthermore, language referring to order, such as first andsecond, should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limitingsense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the artthat certain steps can be combined into a single step.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this invention belongs.

The singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include plural referents, unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the words “comprise,” “has,”and “include” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intendedto have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additionalelements or steps.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstances may or may not occur. The description includesinstances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not occur.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value,and/or to about another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from theone particular value and/or to the other particular value, along withall combinations within said range.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations canbe made hereupon without departing from the principle and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should bedetermined by the following claims and their appropriate legalequivalents.

We claim:
 1. A method of drilling a hydrocarbon formation, the methodcomprising: contacting the hydrocarbon formation with a water-baseddrilling mud composition while drilling or completing a well, thewater-based drilling mud composition comprising: water, the water beingpresent in an amount greater than about 90 wt % of the water-baseddrilling mud composition to maintain flowability of the water-baseddrilling mud composition; drilling mud, the drilling mud comprisingparticles, wherein the particles are selected from the group consistingof microparticles, nanoparticles, and combinations thereof; and amulti-functional mud additive in an amount of 0.8 wt % of thewater-based drilling mud composition, the multi-functional mud additivecomprising psyllium husk powder, such that the water-based drilling mudcomposition is operable to keep the particles stabilized and dispersedthroughout the drilling mud composition in the absence of a surfactant;wherein the psyllium husk powder comprises at least 85% by weight huskparticles.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water-baseddrilling mud composition further comprises 2 pounds per barrel of 99%pure psyllium husk powder with 2 pounds per barrel of xanthan gum, 3pounds per barrel of 85% pure psyllium husk powder with 3 pounds perbarrel of xanthan gum, and 20 pounds per barrel of volcanic ash.
 3. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contacting the hydrocarbonformation with the water-based drilling mud composition is performedprior to having a loss of circulation of fluids in excess of one barrelper hour.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contactingcomprises applying the water-based drilling mud composition to thehydrocarbon formation, the water-based drilling mud compositionincluding the multi-functional mud additive having a volume-to-surfacearea ratio operable to reduce van der Waals forces between theparticles, such that the particles do not stick together.
 5. The methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-functional mud additive isoperable to increase the viscosity of the water-based drilling mudcomposition.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein themulti-functional mud additive is operable to increase a viscosity of thewater-based drilling mud composition by at least 10 cP.
 7. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-functional mud additive isoperable to provide additional gelling capacity for the water-baseddrilling mud composition.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe water-based drilling mud composition further comprises an absence ofa dispersant.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thewater-based drilling mud composition further comprises an absence of apolyanionic cellulose.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thewater-based drilling mud composition further comprises an absence ofpsyllium seed particles.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe water-based drilling mud composition further comprises xanthan gum.12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water-based drillingmud composition further comprises volcanic ash.
 13. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles of the drilling mud of thewater-based drilling mud composition are selected from the groupconsisting of carbon black, single wall nanotubes, multiwall nanotubes,functionalized carbon blacks, functionalized single wall nanotubes,functionalized multiwall nanotubes, graphene, and combinations thereof.14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microparticles of thedrilling mud of the water-based drilling mud composition are selectedfrom the group consisting of bentonite, volcanic ash, mica, carbonatepowder, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the water-based drilling mud composition further comprises a pHbuffer.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the predeterminedpH range is alkaline.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein thepH buffer is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, lime, or combinations thereof.
 18. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the water-based drilling mud compositioncomprises a plastic viscosity of at least 15 cP, a yield point of atleast 45 lbs/100 ft2, and a 10/10 gel strength of at least 25/30 lbs/100ft2, and wherein the water-based drilling mud composition is operable toachieve an American Petroleum Institute fluid loss of less than 15 ccand a mudcake thickness of less than 2 mm.
 19. The method as claimed inclaim 12, volcanic ash is selected from the group consisting of silica,aluminum oxide, lime, ferric oxide, magnesium oxide, and combinationsthereof.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water-baseddrilling mud composition further comprises a pH buffer in an amountsufficient to keep the water-based drilling mud composition in analkaline pH; wherein the particles include COOH functionalizednanoparticles, and wherein the water-based drilling mud composition isoperable to keep the particles stabilized and dispersed for at least 48hours following a hot rolling treatment.
 21. The method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the water-based drilling mud composition comprises aplastic viscosity of less than 20 cP, a yield point of at least 25lbs/100 ft2, and a 10/10 gel strength of at least 27/33 lbs/100 ft2,wherein the water-based drilling mud composition is operable to achievean American Petroleum Institute fluid loss of less than 15 cc and amudcake thickness of less than 2 mm.